{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-leads-bipartisan-letter-female-gitmo-service-members", "U.S. Rep. McSally Leads Bipartisan Letter On Female GITMO Service Members Policy", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "AZ", "Martha McSally", "M001197", "mcsally.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Representative Martha McSally today led a bipartisan group of 43 lawmakers on a letter to Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter outlining concerns that female guards could be prohibited from transporting detainees at Guantanamo Bay. The letter, which was also co-authored by U.S. Representatives Bill Shuster (R-PA), Susan Davis (D-CA), and Rick Larsen (D-WA), follows a petition by five detainees, including 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who have said contact with female guards violates their religious beliefs.\nIt has come to our attention that five high value detainees at Guantanamo Bay have petitioned to permanently restrict female service members from assignments related to their detention, the lawmakers said in the letter. We believe these positions should remain open to women, regardless of the religious beliefs of the detainees. Prohibiting women from these assignments discriminates against our troops and allows the enemies of the United States to dictate the terms on which American citizens serve their countryWhile the United States should make certain allowances with respect to human rights, we must not compromise our basic principles at the behest of the very individuals who seek to destroy them.\nIn January, a military judge ordered a temporary no touch policy for female guards at Guantanamo Bay following detainee complaints. In the letter sent today, the lawmakers seek clarification on the current policy and any changes that have been made since September 11, 2011.\nIn your response, outline any changes that have been made to this policy since September 11, 2001. If any policy changes were to accommodate religious or cultural interests, please provide a detailed explanation of the rationale behind those changes. Finally, we impel you to ensure that female service members are not barred from continuing to serve in any capacity due to the requests of those detained for participating in terrorist attacks against the United States.\nThe letter is endorsed by Women In International Security and the Service Womens Action Network.\nA PDF of the letter can be viewed HERE.\nThe full letter text follows.  \n\t\nDecember 14, 2015\nThe Honorable Ashton Carter  \n\tSecretary of Defense  \n\tU.S. Department of Defense  \n\t1000 Defense Pentagon  \n\tWashington, D.C. 20301\nDear Mr. Secretary,\nIt has come to our attention that five high value detainees at Guantanamo Bay have petitioned to permanently restrict female service members from assignments related to their detention. We believe these positions should remain open to women, regardless of the religious beliefs of the detainees. Prohibiting women from these assignments discriminates against our troops and allows the enemies of the United States to dictate the terms on which American citizens serve their country. Women in uniform should not have to endure prejudice based on the convictions of enemy combatants, and male soldiers should not be forced to fill these deployments at a higher rate than necessary as a result.\nWomen have served at Guantanamo Bay since the arrival of the first detainees from Afghanistan in 2002. They have demonstrated the same commitment to their duties as their male counterparts, and numerous other changes have already been made to accommodate the religious beliefs of those currently held at Guantanamo.\nWhile the United States should make certain allowances with respect to human rights, we must not compromise our basic principles at the behest of the very individuals who seek to destroy them. This case exemplifies the continued manipulation of our system to benefit terrorists directly responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent Americans. One of the five detainees, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, is the infamous mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. He was Al Qaedas chief propagandist, and continues to support that role through his legal actions at Guantanamo. Attempts to impose Mr. Mohammeds interpretation of religious law on Americas men and women in uniform must be unequivocally denied.\nWe ask that you provide Congress with the current policy regarding assignments surrounding detainees at Guantanamo Bay. In your response, outline any changes that have been made to this policy since September 11, 2001. If any policy changes were to accommodate religious or cultural interests, please provide a detailed explanation of the rationale behind those changes. Finally, we impel you to ensure that female service members are not barred from continuing to serve in any capacity due to the requests of those detained for participating in terrorist attacks against the United States.\nOur policies reflect our values. We cannot allow our values to be compromised by prohibiting female soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen from certain assignments due to the objections of our enemies. We value all that our women in uniform do and have done to keep our nation safe, and must stand by our principles in this war of ideas.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://mcsally.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-rep-mcsally-leads-bipartisan-letter-female-gitmo-service-members"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.9995765760540962, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}